Komodos, the world's largest lizard, are cannibalistic and usually eat their young and eggs. Zoo officials say staying alive is tricky for a new Komodo.

Los Angeles is one of only a few zoos in North America to have successfully bred the lizards. The curator said 11 young will eventually go to Columbus Zoo, Ohio, and the others will go to zoos assigned by the Species Survival Programme.

Komodo dragons, which grow to about nine feet and can weigh 200lb or more, are native to Indonesia.